Reference books are not designed to be read from the first page to the last but rather to be consulted to answer questions and give both general and specific pieces of information.

One of the most widely-used reference books is a dictionary, which provides information about words. It lists meanings and spellings, tells how a word is pronounced, gives examples of how it is used, may show its origins and also lists synonyms and antonyms. To help you to find the word faster, there are guide words at the top of each page showing the first and the last words on the page – and of course it helps to know the alphabet! There may be many special sections at the back with facts about famous people and places, list of dates and scientific names, etc. There is usually a section at the front explaining how to use the dictionary.

An encyclopedia comes as either a set of books or a single large volume and is nearly always arranged alphabetically. As information changes so fast, encyclopedias have to be brought up to date regularly – this is easier if the information is in electronic format.

An atlas is also a reference book and contains charts, tables and geographical facts, as well as maps. Political maps locate countries and cities, physical maps show the formation of the land with its mountains and valleys, and economic maps show industries and agriculture. To find a specific place, you need to look in the index at the back of the atlas and find a reference number which will indicate the correct page and the exact position on the map. There are a lot of map symbols that you need to know in order to be able to read a map – almost like a special language – and these are explained at the front of the atlas.

Task 2

Read the text below. Then complete the gaps 8–15 in the text with eight of the phrases A–J. There are two extra phrases.

A. about our universeB. many years after his deathC. so no one believed itD. to reach higher floorsE. in shops and supermarketsF. because it was very popularG. for stopping a lift in dangerous situationsH. man-made orbiting satelliteI. which later became a commercial freezerJ. that the Earth orbited the Sun

More People Who Changed the World

Have you ever stood in a lift and wondered if it can crash to the ground?

There’s no need to worry! In 1854, the American engineer Elisha Graves Otis invented a safety brake (8)______________ . Three years later he designed the first passenger lifts in the United States. Thanks to Otis, people no longer had to climb hundreds of stairs (9) _______________ , and so buildings could be much taller. Thanks to Otis we have skyscrapers today!

The telescope was invented in Holland in 1608. The Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei heard about this new invention in 1609 and soon he built his own telescope. He used it to prove his theory (10) _______________ . He also used it to make important discoveries about the Moon, the planets and the stars. Thanks to Galileo, we now know much more (11) _______________ .

In 1925 the American inventor Clarence Birdseye created the world’s first quick-frozen food. He was able to develop a freezing process which kept food fresh and tasty. He then invented a fast-freezing machine (12) __________ . As a result of his work, there is now a lot of different kinds of frozen food which you can buy (13) ___________ .

Our world of modern global communications began on 4 October, 1957, when the Soviet Union sent Sputnik 1 into space – it was the first (14) _____________ . It was invented by aircraft engineer and rocket designer Sergei Pavlovich Korolyov, but because of the Cold War, people all around the world didn’t know about his success until (15) __________________ . Also thanks to Korolyov, Yuri Gagarin made the first manned space flight in 1961.

Part 3. Use of English (30 minutes)

Task 1

Open the brackets 1–18 and use the right form of the verb. The first one is done for you.

Mr Sherlock Holmes (0 – sit) __was sitting__ one morning at the breakfast table in his room in Baker Street. His friend Dr Watson (1 – stand) near the window examining a walking stick which a visitor (2 – leave) the day before. “To Dr Mortimer, from his friend,” (3 – write) upon it.

Sherlock Holmes suddenly (4 – turn) to Watson , “The owner of the stick (5 – have) a dog which (6 – be) larger than a terrier and smaller than a mastiff.” Watson was surprised. “How you (7 – know)?”

“I (8 – examine) that stick carefully and (9 – notice) the marks of the dog’s teeth on it,” answered Holmes. “They (10 – be) too broad for a terrier and not broad enough for a mastiff. I suppose the dog often (11– carry) the stick behind its master. It is a spaniel.”

After breakfast Holmes came up to the window. Watson (12 – think) for a second and then asked how he (13 – can) be so sure of that.

“I (14 – be) sure of it because I (15 – see) the dog with its master at our door. I (16 – wonder) why the visitor (17 – want) to see Mr Sherlock Holmes. Well, we soon (18 –find out)!”

Task 3

Most countries share the same wise expressions about life. Look at the English proverbs below divided into halves. Match the beginnings 24–29 and their endings A–H. There is one ending you do not need to use. Then find the Russian equivalent to each of the proverbs. There is an example for you. You will get 2 points for each correct answer.

Audioscript

Look at Part 1. Listen to the text and mark the sentences 1–5 T (True) or F (False).

You will hear the text twice.

You have 20 seconds to look at the questions.

(Pause 20 seconds)

Now we are ready to start.

The Golden Ring is a group of ancient Russian towns and cities that form a curved line that begins and ends in Moscow. These towns and cities are an important part of Russian culture as they are places that have seen the main events of Russian history. A tour of the Golden Ring gives visitors the opportunity to learn about Russia’s past, culture and traditions.

If you take the ‘classical’ route, these are towns and cities you would see in the order you would see them:

VLADIMIR – Vladimir was founded by Prince Vladimir Monomakh in 1108 and became the capital of North-Eastern Russia in the 12th century. It is famous for its beautiful architecture and its peaceful atmosphere.

SUZDAL – Suzdal was established in 1024 and is one of the best-preserved towns in Russia. Visitors will see building styles from different epochs and will enjoy exploring the city on foot. If you like camping, you can pitch your tent on the banks of the river Kamenka.

KOSTROMA – Founded in 1152 and located on the Volga River, Kostroma was the birthplace of the Romanov Dynasty. It is well-known for its Fire-Watch tower and the Church of the Resurrection.

YAROSLAVL – This town was founded at the beginning of the 11th century (1010) in the place where the Volga and Kotorosl rivers meet. The city has wonderful architecture and heroic past. One of the main tourist attractions of this town is the Monastery of Transfiguration of the Saviour.

ROSTOV THE GREAT – Founded in 862, this ancient Russian town is located on lake Nero. The Rostov Kremlin, the Cathedral of Assumption and the Bell Tower will impress visitors. The largest of the Rostov bells weighs 32,000 kg and the sound of its chimes can be heard for 20 km!

PERESLAVL-ZALESSKY – Established in 1152 and halfway between Moscow and Yaroslavl, on the bank of the Pleshcheevo Lake is Pereslavl-Zalessky. In 1693 Peter the Great constructed a prototype of the first Russian fleet here. Now the lake has National Park status.

SERGIEV POSAD – Founded in 862 and named after Saint Sergius who founded the largest Russian monastery, The Holy Trinity – St. Sergius Lavra. The monastery contains a huge library of religious books as well as icons and other treasures.

Now you have 20 seconds to fulfil task 1.

(Pause 20 seconds)

Now to fulfil task 2 listen again and match the place from the text (A–E) with the description 6–10.